This is my FULL TIME JOB, and I depend on your support and generosity to make ends meet! I don't believe in subscriptions, paywalls, or premium content. Those suck. Everyone should be able to enjoy my work if they want, and support me on their own terms if they'd like to! All of my work is free, and I live off of prints, merch, and PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT content, available at my website below!

Pay-What-You-Want's like a donation, but you also get cool art,sketches, wallpapers, and other stuff! Which is better than a donation!

This is in addition to about 50 emails! Okay… I was really trying to keep on top of commissions in the sense that I could at least answer all of them! But it's quickly like… yeah… BUT I'M EXCITED. I DON'T WANT TO SOUND UNAPPRECIATIVE IN ANY WAY BECAUSE OH MY GOD…

You guys, seriously, I could cry. I shed a (very manly) tear or two last night with all the kinds words and support. And I'm just beyond moved. I have been feeling this nauseating mix of fear and hope in the past few days. It's been crazy and weird and very wonderful and scary.

But I really want to address some bleh stuff… mostly that wow I don't think i can take 303 commissions! I mean, if I could that'd be awesome for everyone! I didn't expect this at all, and I wasn't prepared for it. Today I managed to take and finish TWO commissions. I just want to be really honest with everyone, because you've all been so amazingly generous and helpful!

FIRST: I WILL DEFINITELY READ EVERY SINGLE NOTE AND EMAIL.SECOND: I DON'T THINK I CAN RESPOND TO OR DECLINE EVERY SINGLE ONE.

I don't think I'd want to out and out decline anyone's anyway! What if in a week or two I can come back to it? Right? Besides, copypasting some sort of mass-produced decline message wouldn't be any more courteous.

I don't think it'd be fair for me to close commissions or run this on a first come, first serve basis. If you have a desire to get one, you should have just as much an opportunity as anyone else. By the same token, I'm not going to fill up 20+ commissions and lock myself and you all down for two weeks. I think every day I will take a few, knock them out, and try to maintain a fluid workpace without killing myself. I do have to keep Cteno updated at the very least between commissions. Everything else is on the backburner.

I also want to be very honest about how I'm picking commissions! I'm trying to get as many people's commissions in as I can, which means I'm definitely looking more towards the cheaper commissions. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean I won't take the bigger ones! They're important to my workflow and presentation! But I do want to get as many people as I can. It doesn't help that I'm slow artist. And this situation has made me feel kinda bad… I honestly expected like 20 offers, tops… NOT THAT I AM NOT BAFFLED AND OVER THE MOON RIGHT NOW.

But please understand that it's a lot to read through. I know it's really irritating when people don't get back to you, especially when you're helping them. I'm trying my best to keep up with all these messages across every site, thank you for not only being patient, but for being so fucking awesome right now. I really don't know what to do. My fear of the IRS is matched only by my fear of WTF I'm supposed to do to pay back so many people.

Best of luck sorting out this tax mess! I don't know how much it can help now (altho I hope it can help by next year), but the freelance illustrator Kali Ciesemier created a simplified tax FAQ for other freelance/self-employed artists: [link]

From her site: "If you’re a freelancer, the trick is to make sure you pay enough in estimated taxes throughout the year to avoid the underpayment penalty.You will avoid the penalty if you:

Owe less than $1000 in taxes after subtracting withholding and creditsOR(A)Have paid at least 90% of the tax amount owed for the current year, or (B) have paid at least 100% of the tax shown on last year’s return — whichever is smaller.

That means that I can just pay an equal amount each quarter, and make sure all 4 estimated tax payments add up to the tax amount I paid for last year’s return (or more).So, for instance, if I owed $7000 total in federal taxes for 2012, I won’t be penalized for underpayment if I pay at least $1750 each quarter ($7000 total) for my 2013 federal estimated taxes—regardless of whether I owe more taxes in 2013 or not. If I earned a higher income in 2013 than in 2012 and didn’t pay enough estimated taxes to cover it all, I’d still have to pay the difference at tax time, but at least I wouldn’t have to pay the underpayment penalty!Not too difficult, so long as you have enough in your bank account, but tricky to figure out at first!

All of this information also generally applies to state estimated tax payments, though the specific numbers and percentages can change and a few states don’t charge income tax at all. In most states, you have to pay a state income tax as well as a federal income tax, so I pay quarterly estimated tax payments to the federal government, as well as quarterly estimated tax payments to Maryland, my state of residence."

Slugbox I don't think you realize just how many people appreciate you and your work. Let alone look up to you. When I first discovered you I wanted to commission you right away. Back then I was poor, so I had to say I was relieved to find out you weren't taking commissions. But I vowed that one day, when you finally did open up commissions, I would buy one from you.The fact that you opened them up due to such a horrible situation... it breaks my heart... to know that our government can't just let people live their lives. For some reason they have to be greedy enough to take people's hard earned cash, that they had no work put into themselves.Slugbox I want you to know I support you whole-heartedly. My husband put in a request for the both of us, but it is understood that you probably wont make it to all of them. Just do what you can. Everything will turn out just fine. <3

Fayne!!! Thank you for your kind words. Really. These kinds of messages keep me going just as much as monetary help! This whole situation has really made me question what I should be doing with my life and career... but when I hear stuff like this I really don't want to give up on what I've worked for!!! THANK YOU! @A@

You totally deserve this! I wish I was as popular as you are to get help in my financial troubles too..totally experiencing the same issues..and it sucks when you have to ask for help..even more sucky when its ignored (-shot-)

But you're an amazing artist, you inspire so many people! And of course everyone and their mother and dead ancestors..want a commission from you! So everyone is jumping at the chance!

You'll get it all under control, and I'm sure your financial struggles will be soon as well! Wishing you and your lovely family including your silly cat that wants attention non-stop..(who is adorbs and you know it) the very best wishes and luck! Soo wish I could commission but yeah, totally broke!

Yikes that is a lot! But you really only expected 20? Lol you are loved Slug. ^^ I can only cross my fingers and hope that my note will inspire you, I don't have monster girls so I'm nervous...>.< but I'm very glad you are getting the help you need, can't say I expected to see anything less! You're a great artist and the chance to commission you is something not easily passed up! <3

I have a feeling that the sketch commissions have a bit of a chance to get chosen because you said they were fast. Would that be true or do all commission types have an equal chance?

Hmm. I just got my check approved (yep, being a contractor, I have to WAIT for my check to get approved... Sometimes it's done in a day... sometimes it is a week, and then I have to wait for them to MAIL it. )

Anyway, I want one. So bad. I think it is fair to wait for my check to be deposited before I note you.

Woah! A lot of people want to help you Mr. Slug I think people can understand if you don't respond, that's a lot of messages to go through D: I cross my fingers that mine will be accepted Either way I'm super excited to have a look at the commissions you make for others to!

Oh god. ; - ; That's a lot. I'm happy that you've gotten what you need! I was super excited because I sent my message probably the minute you posted your price list on tumblr. But if you aren't doing it first come, first serve than, ; - ; I DUNNOOOOOOO WHAT TO THINKKKK. ; - ; But at least it was the cheapest commission! That should help my luck a bit hopefully. :>

OH MY GOD I LITERALLY SPIT MY SODA ALL OVER THE PLACE. IT'S... It's a big number Slug. If I were you I'd be happy.. and scared at the same time. Omfg.

But I'm really happy for you that you got so much support! <3 And that manly tear put a smile to my face, fff. Because it shows how much you've got and how much you appreciate it! Told you it's gonna be good. <3 Take care and holy shit - good luck!

^_^ I'm glad you got such a great turnout! At this rate, I bet you'll get all they money you need. I won't pretend I don't REALLY want you to get to mine eventually, but I'm a patient person, so you should take all the time you need. I'm sure everyone understands.

The best of luck to you! <3 I'll be sure to commission you some other time, hopefully it doesn't have to be under these circumstances ;D Good luck with getting that money and shove it up the goverment's ass.

Glad to hear you got so many! And I know this will sound greedy and all, but I hope I am in the bracket of one of the first people to be done Mainly cause it is for a friend rather then myself and his birthday is fast approaching.

Glad to see things were more then well for you! Always loved seeing your work~

I'm really glad that you are getting the attention and care from friends and fellow DA artist's. I actually want to ask for more commissions personally when I get paid and I am actually willing to pay in advance if it would help you at all. I know what it's like to be on a deadline with things on the line and I hope for the best.

As an honest question, in the case of those who asked for larger commissions that you feel you wouldn't be able to manage - what are the chances of you turning around and offering them a smaller commission instead? As to avoid people feeling left out.